U.S. Airports Begin Screening for Marburg Virus Amid Rwanda Outbreak

Starting mid-October 2024, United States health officials will begin screening travelers arriving from Rwanda at three major airports—JFK International in New York, O’Hare in Chicago, and Dulles International in Virginia—due to an ongoing outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Rwanda. This initiative, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to identify and contain potential cases of the virus, which is similar to Ebola and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever.

The screening process will involve temperature checks and an evaluation of symptoms like fever, vomiting, rash, and unexplained bleeding, which can develop 2 to 21 days after exposure. Passengers who have been in Rwanda within the past 21 days will be rerouted to these airports for thorough assessments by CDC personnel. In addition, travelers departing from Rwanda will also undergo pre-flight health screenings conducted by Rwandan health officials.

The outbreak in Rwanda has resulted in 56 confirmed cases and 12 deaths, with a particularly high fatality rate of up to 88%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Among those infected, 19 cases have occurred among healthcare workers, raising concerns about the virus’s spread in healthcare settings.

Currently, there are no confirmed cases of Marburg virus in the U.S., and health authorities maintain that the risk to the American public remains low. However, the CDC has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Rwanda, urging Americans to reconsider nonessential travel to the region. Travelers who do visit are advised to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after their return and to seek medical care immediately if symptoms arise.

Marburg virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, and has no approved vaccine or treatment, making early detection and isolation crucial. The U.S. screening efforts are part of a broader global response to contain the outbreak and prevent the virus from spreading beyond Rwanda.

These airport screenings highlight the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in preventing the spread of highly contagious and deadly diseases like Marburg, especially as global travel resumes.